A source said: “Smiggle has been doing tremendously well in Australia and Asia and it now thinks the time is right to enter the UK market. It will start slowly with five or six stores and then roll out more if it proves to be successful. It may well be able to give WHSmith a run for its money”.

Smiggle has been doing tremendously well in Australia and Asia and it now thinks the time is right to enter the UK market

A source

Smiggle was founded as a single shop in Melbourne in 2003 and was then acquired by Australian conglomerate The Just Group four years later.

It now has 149 stores across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

Last year sales at Smiggle grew by 18.1 per cent.

The source added: “The UK launch could be a precursor for a wider European rollout.”

Smiggle did not respond to requests for comment.

Other international retailers looking to set up shop in the UK include American Eagle Outfitters and Brazilian brand Melissa Shoes.

US fashion retailer J Crew will also open three stores in London this year.